Strength-Based Methods

Abstract Strength-based methods in psychotherapy represent efforts to respond sensitively to the patient’s strengths without neglecting their challenges. This chapter defines and illustrates strength-based methods in individual psychotherapy and summarizes their probable indications. It presents a systematic summary of process-outcome studies that investigate in-session strength-based methods and then provides meta-analytic evidence demonstrating that strength-based methods have the potential to increase the treatment efficacy of bona fide psychotherapy across mental health outcomes at post-treatment. The results indicate that strength-based methods may not be a trivial by-product of treatment progress and may provide a unique contribution to psychotherapy outcomes. The chapter concludes with implications for diversity, training, and therapeutic practices, all grounded in research evidence.